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DVD Reviews => The "Marathon" reviews => Topic started by: Danae Cassandra on September 30, 2013, 05:15:36 AM

Title: Danae's 2013 Horror Marathon
Post by: Danae Cassandra on September 30, 2013, 05:15:36 AM

Okay, so I'm getting a jump on October!  It's only a couple of days early!

Title: Re: Danae's 2013 Horror Marathon
Post by: Danae Cassandra on September 30, 2013, 05:18:31 AM

(http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/I5/I5EB7663819FE5001f.jpg)

The Mummy
Year of Release:  1932
Directed By: Karl Freund
Starring: Boris Karloff, Zita Johann, David Manners, Arthur Byron, Edward Van Sloan
Genre: Horror

Overview:
Boris Karloff's stellar performance as Im-Ho-Tep in the 1932 version of The Mummy is a landmark in screen history. A British archaeology team accidentally revives former high priest Im-Ho-Tep, nearly 4,000 years after he was embalmed alive. Finally free, he sets out to find his lost love, a vestal virgin sacrificed in a ritual. Powerful and mesmerizing, Im-Ho-Tep is unstoppable and terrifying in this brooding horror masterpiece. As 'The New York Times' noted, "It begs description... One of the most unusual talkies ever produced."

My Thoughts:
This is a great, atmospheric film that richly deserves its classic status.  Superior in every way to the 99 remake, it nonetheless shares one thing with it:  the mummy, Imhotep, is easily the most developed, most interesting character.  Karloff's performance is spectacular, creating a character that is both cunning and menacing, but also romantic and sympathetic.  What really impressed me as well was the direction of the film - how tight the story was, how much attention was in the little details and how much of the horror was subtle and understated.  More was achieved with implication, with the view of the mummy's hand reaching for the scroll and the rasp of dusty bandages on the floor, than modern films achieve with jump scares.  What a great film.

Bechdel Test:  Fail

Overall: 3.75/5

Title: Re: Danae's 2013 Horror Marathon
Post by: Jimmy on September 30, 2013, 07:10:07 AM

Quote from: Danae Cassandra on September 30, 2013, 05:15:36 AM

Okay, so I'm getting a jump on October!  It's only a couple of days early!

No problem :laugh:

Guess I'll create my thread tomorrow too... watching the Resident Evil movies this weekend kind of made me feel like watching horror (and no I don't consider those films as horror movies but action movie with zombies. I know sometimes I'm strange...)

Title: Re: Danae's 2013 Horror Marathon
Post by: Dragonfire on October 01, 2013, 01:45:36 AM

I went ahead and watched Witches of Eastwick last night...I know it isn't horror, but that is one I tend to watch in October...like Practical Magic.  So I guess I started early too.

Title: Re: Danae's 2013 Horror Marathon
Post by: Danae Cassandra on October 01, 2013, 05:14:36 AM

(http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/08/089218321190f.jpg)

The Devil Bat
Year of Release: 1941
Directed By: Jean Yarbrough
Starring: Bela Lugosi, Suzanne Kaaren, Dave O'Brien
Genre: Horror

Overview:
One of the most infamous and enjoyable of all the Bela Lugosi "Poverty Row" productions, The Devil Bat stands as an over-the-top horror tale.  Lugosi is the embittered Doctor Paul Carruthers who seeks vengeance on his employers by creating monstrous killer bats.  He begins to systematically murder his victims by offering them a sample of a specially concocted shaving lotion that attracts the flying "devil bat" with predictably lethal results.

Filmed with sly tongue-in-cheek humor and a most exciting music score provided by David Chudnow, The Devil Bat ranks among Bela Lugosi's fondly remembered and best low budget fright films of the '40s.

My Thoughts:
This was a cheap, cheesy, fun little film.  Cheap because this is a  Poverty Row film from PRC.  The lack of budget is completely obvious not only in the effects, but also the sets, the average direction, and the lack of any name actors except Lugosi.  Cheesy because what else can you call a film about a mad perfume maker who raises bats that he enlarges with electricity?  And fun, because Bela Lugosi is a superb actor who gives it his all.  He's the reason to watch the film.  His fellow actors are adequate enough, but none of them has even a quarter of Lugosi's presence or talent.  It's really a crime that his talent wasn't recognized by major studios in his own day.  Recommended for fans of ultra-low-budget monster movies or fans of Lugosi.  I had a lot of fun watching it.  Anyone else may find this little film a bit too shabby for their taste.

Bechdel Test: Fail

Overall: 2.5/5

Title: Re: Danae's 2013 Horror Marathon
Post by: Dragonfire on October 01, 2013, 05:16:31 AM

That might be in that one DVD set I got a few years ago that has 50 horror movies.  I'll have to look.  I know there are some Bela Legosi movies on it.  I watched a few of them last year.

Title: Re: Danae's 2013 Horror Marathon
Post by: Danae Cassandra on October 01, 2013, 02:42:42 PM

It's in public domain, so I wouldn't be surprised if its in a 50 Horror Movie set.  It's a fun watch if you like Bela Lugosi, or you like these sorts of films.

Title: Re: Danae's 2013 Horror Marathon
Post by: addicted2dvd on October 01, 2013, 05:50:46 PM

I have it in two or three of the sets over here.

Title: Re: Danae's 2013 Horror Marathon
Post by: Jimmy on October 01, 2013, 06:39:02 PM

By the way The Devil Bat was just released by Kino Classics two weeks ago on blu-ray and the reviews are positive.

The Devil Bat: Kino Classics Remastered Edition [Blu-ray] (http://www.amazon.com/The-Devil-Bat-Classics-Remastered/dp/B00DI68EBK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1380645354&sr=8-1&keywords=The+Devil+Bat)

Title: Re: Danae's 2013 Horror Marathon
Post by: Danae Cassandra on October 04, 2013, 05:13:05 AM

(http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/03/030306117690f.jpg)

Pánico en el Transiberiano (Horror Express)
Year of Release: 1972
Directed By: Eugenio Martín
Starring: Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing, Telly Savalas, Alberto de Mendoza, Silvia Tortosa
Genre: Horror

Overview:
The '70s horror classic returns like you've never seen it before! Screen legends Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing star as rival turn-of-the-century anthropologists transporting a frozen 'missing link' aboard the Trans-Siberian Express. But when the prehistoric creature thaws and escapes, it unleashes a brain-scarfing spree that turns its victims into the eye-bleeding undead. Can the crafty colleagues stop this two million year old monster, hordes of zombie passengers and a psychotic Cossack officer (Telly Savalas) before terror goes off the rails? Silvia Tortosa (When The Screaming Stops) co-stars in this all-time fright favorite from director Eugenio Martín and the blacklisted Hollywood screenwriters of PSYCHOMANIA, now featuring explosive new Extras and a stunning HD transfer from vault elements recently unearthed in a Mongolian film depot!

My Thoughts:
This is a really good little film.  Of course, it doesn't hurt that it has a lot of good elements to put it together, either.  It has two superb actors - Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing - as the leads.  It has Telly Savalas in a cameo.  It has two beautiful ladies to threaten.  It has an interesting setting - a train crossing Siberia, and a reasonably tight and action-packed script.  Oh, and an interesting monster.  One mustn't forget the monster.

Are there a few plot holes?  Sure, but you really overlook them while you're watching.  The film has a great, creepy atmosphere and some genuinely tense moments.   Lee and Cushing make a great team of dapper, distinguished English gentlemen.  Lee looks so young and handsome here, even if he's actually in his late 40's and his character is an arrogant prig.  Cushing is the more charming here.  And Savalas chews up the scenery delightfully as a power-mad Cossack.  It's almost a shame he comes in so late in the film, but the character would be too much if given more screen time. 

The other thing that helps make the film good is that the monster is very mysterious at the beginning, but as the film progresses you learn more about the creature and also eventually you get clued in toward it's motive and goal.  Yes, it does have them, and it makes the creature somewhat sympathetic.  I at least had some understanding and sympathy for it.

The gore is minimal compared to today's films, so despite it's R rating I'd feel comfortable showing this for teens.  Therefore, recommended for most anyone who's a fan of older horror films.

Bechdel Test: Fail

Overall:  3.75/5

Title: Re: Danae's 2013 Horror Marathon
Post by: Jimmy on October 04, 2013, 05:54:50 AM

Got that one when the blu-ray was released by Severin. Watching it on this disc compare to the numerous public domain released is like comparing night and day. This is sure one film trap in the PD hell worthy of an upgrade (like Messiah of Evil and Silent Night Bloody Night) ;D

Title: Re: Danae's 2013 Horror Marathon
Post by: Danae Cassandra on October 05, 2013, 08:46:20 PM

Absolutely worth the upgrade!  I have a public domain copy of the film as well, and it's like night and day in the difference between the two copies.

Title: Re: Danae's 2013 Horror Marathon
Post by: Danae Cassandra on October 05, 2013, 08:51:12 PM

(http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/05/053939724424f.jpg)

Cat People
Year of Release: 1942
Directed By: Jacques Tourneur
Starring: Simone Simon, Kent Smith, Tom Conway, Jane Randolph
Genre: Horror

Overview:
Directed by Jacques Tourneur, Cat People is the trailblazing first of Lewton's nine horror classics. Simone Simon portrays a bride who fears an ancient hex will turn her into a deadly panther when she's in passion's grip.

My Thoughts:
This is a stylish, atmospheric film with horror by implication rather than exhibition.  It's horror centered on psychology, on the subtext of what deeply held beliefs mean to a person, and what jealousy can drive someone to.  It's also a romantic story, and a story of romance gone cold, and of how romance and love are not the same thing.  It's very strikingly filmed, with great use of light and shadow.  Recommended unless you need a lot of action or gore in your movies, in which case steer clear.  This is a much slower and more subtle movie.

Bechdel Test: Pass

Overall: 3.5/5

Title: Re: Danae's 2013 Horror Marathon
Post by: Danae Cassandra on October 06, 2013, 10:06:43 PM

(http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/78/786936831153f.jpg)

Frankenweenie
Year of Release: 2012
Directed By: Tim Burton
Starring: Catherine O'Hara, Martin Short, Martin Landau, Charlie Tahan
Genre: Horror, Comedy, Animation

Overview:
From Disney and creative genius Tim Burton (Alice in Wonderland, The Nightmare Before Christmas) comes the hilarious and offbeat Frankenweenie, a heartwarming tale about a boy and his dog.  After unexpectedly losing his beloved dog Sparky, young Victor harnesses the power of science to bring his best friend back to life – with just a few minor adjustments.  He tries to hide his home-sewn creation, but when Sparky gets out, Victor's fellow students, teachers, and the entire town learn that getting a new "leash on life" can be monstrous.

Complete with electrifying bonus features, Frankenweenie is alive with enchanting fun for the whole family.

My Thoughts:
First, let me say that I am unabashedly a fan of Tim Burton's work.  I've loved all of his stop motion films, and his live-action stuff is generally good too (if not as much).  I love his dark, atmospheric, gothic style.  I'm also a big fan of old, classic monster movies.  So it's almost a given that I was going to love Frankenweenie. 

There's a lot of homage paid to the classics - Frankenstein, obviously, but also all the old Universal films, Gamera, heck, there's even a Bambi Meets Godzilla moment.  There's some genuinely emotional moments; both mom and I teared up toward the end.  There's also an interesting take on the usual theme in horror films of science as dangerous - here it is the intent behind the science that creates danger, rather than the science itself.  Also the usual message about not being so judgmental, and a condemnation of mob mentality. 

A great film for older kids, especially ones who've seen Burton's other films, as well as adults, I can recommend this for anyone - unless they refuse to see a film where a dog dies (yes, I know that person).

Bechdel Test: Fail

Overall: 4/5

Title: Re: Danae's 2013 Horror Marathon
Post by: Danae Cassandra on October 07, 2013, 04:58:41 AM

(http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/02/027616862884f.jpg)

The Pit and the Pendulum
Year of Release: 1961
Directed By: Roger Corman
Starring: Vincent Price, John Kerr, Barbara Steele, Luana Anders, Antony Carbone
Genre: Horror, Suspense

Overview:
Happily-ever-after goes under the knife in this "eerie [and] excellent" (The Hollywood Reporter) saga of murder, madness  and forbidden desire. Starring Hollywood horror great Vincent Price, this "spine-tingling thriller" (Redbook Magazine) is a  "lush, elegant and bloody" (Cue) tale of razor-sharp terror! Haunted by horrifying childhood memories, the son (Price) of the Spanish Inquisition's most notorious assassin teeters on the brink of insanity. But when his adulterous wife fakes her own death to drive him over the edge, she soon discovers that betrayal cuts both ways – as the man she wants to destroy becomes not only her judge and jury – but also her executioner!

My Thoughts:
Roger Corman certainly knows how to make a movie.  You don't need a big budget and lots of state-of-the-art effects.  What you need are good actors, suspense, and a lot of atmosphere.  Vincent Price, of course, is superb.  Some people consider his style a bit "hammy" but, honestly, I think they're just jealous because they'll never be as awesome as Vincent Price.  The rest of the cast is pretty solid, though John Kerr's character comes off as very one-note for most of the film, and isn't as interesting as either of the others.  Of course, this is really Price's show as far as the actors go.  The rest is down to great art direction, a pretty interesting script that keeps the viewer guessing, and wonderful, creepy, gothic atmosphere.  Recommended for anyone who likes older horror films. 

Bechdel Test: Fail

Overall: 3.75/5

Title: Re: Danae's 2013 Horror Marathon
Post by: Danae Cassandra on October 09, 2013, 05:51:17 AM

(http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/08/089218500496f.jpg)

Die Augen der Mumie Ma (The Eyes of the Mummy)
Year of Release: 1918
Directed By: Ernst Lubitsch
Starring: Emil Jannings, Pola Negri, Harry Liedtke
Genre: Horror Thriller, Melodrama

Overview:
Albert Wendland, a young painter studying in Egypt, overhears Prince Hohenfels' plans to visit the mysterious tomb of Queen Ma.  Albert is intrigued when he hears a local legend: anyone who enters the crypt meets with disaster.  Ignoring the warning, Wendland journeys to the forbidden burial chamber and finds not a mummy but a beautiful woman, Mara, who is held prisoner by the evil Radu.  Albert rescues Mara and takes her to his European home where they are soon married.  Provided with beautiful clothes, she becomes acquainted with the ways of polite society.  Meanwhile, Radu has sworn revenge upon Mara.  The tragic curse of the mummy hangs over her head!

The Eyes of the Mummy was produced by prolific German UFA studio and boasts a who's who of movie legends.  The film was directed by a young Ernst Lubitsch, who would gain worldwide acclaim for films such as The Love Parade and Heaven Can Wait.  Emil Jannings, star of such classics as The Last Laugh and The Blue Angel, stars as Radu.  Polish femme fatale Pola Negri stars as the doomed Mara.  Negri made many films in Germany with Lubitsch before immigrating to Hollywood where her love affairs garnered more attention than her acting.

My Thoughts
This wasn't really a horror movie, despite being listed as one and having Mummy in the title.  It's really a melodrama/thriller.  Looking at it from that perspective, it's not a bad movie.  Emil Jannings is suitably sinister and threatening. Pola Negri does a commendable job as Ma, the beautiful girl who lives in fear of him, and Harry Liedtke is at least believable as her devoted husband.  While not up to the quality of his later works, Lubitsch's direction here is beginning to show his talent.  

Yes, this is a silent film, and the viewer should expect it to be one.  The acting is over-the-top by modern standards, the makeup heavy, the plot extremely simple.  Take the film as what it is, consider the year it was made in, and it's not that bad a movie, though.  

My only complaint is with my DVD copy of the film.  I'm accustomed to poor video quality, so the fact that this isn't remastered in any way didn't really bother me - yes, there were scratches and dings in the video, but they didn't take away any enjoyment for me.  What was noticeable is that the music soundtrack wasn't synced properly, so that the music would change either just before or just after the scene did, instead of properly with the change of scene.  I'm sure this is because of the cheapness of the Alpha Video release I have.

Bechdel Test: Pass
(for silent films, I will count any interaction between two women that isn't obviously about a man - here between Ma and her tutor)

Overall: 2.5/5

Title: Re: Danae's 2013 Horror Marathon
Post by: Danae Cassandra on October 11, 2013, 05:07:09 AM

(http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/01/014381594126f.jpg)

I tre volti della paura (Black Sabbath)
Year of Release: 1964
Directed By: Mario Bava
Starring: Michèle Mercier, Lidia Alfonsi, Boris Karloff, Mark Damon, Susy Andersen, Jacqueline Pierreux
Genre: Horror

Overview:
Experience Mario Bava's horror classic BLACK SABBATH - as it's never been seen in America before!  A beautiful woman is terrorized by calls from an ex-lover who has escaped prison for the pleasure of killing her...  a family becomes a feeding ground when their father returns home wounded after ridding the countryside of a hideous vampire...  a nurse is haunted by reproaches from the Beyond after stealing a ring from the finger of a dead medium!  Join Boris Karloff as he hosts (and stars in) this trilogy of terror tales - presented in its original aspect ratio and in Italian with English subtitles, with every shock intact!

My Thoughts:
This is a wonderful anthology film, with three good stories to tell - each stronger than the one before it.  If my favorite was "The Wurdulak," I would have to admit that the last story "The Drop of Water" was the strongest and most chilling; and that the first ("The Telephone") is still good.  All of the performances are strong, but Jacqueline Pierreux's is the best, as the haunted nurse in "Water."  I have a soft spot for Karloff, though, and he is quite sinister in his role here.  All of the women are beautiful, as perhaps only the women in horror films of this age were, very lush and voluptuous when compared to the stars of today. 

My other reasoning for my preference for "The Wurdulak" is that I really love Gothic style horror, and this is the only one of the three in that mold.  It has the best art direction and eerie locations.  Also a really great fog effect.  This is the first of Bava's films I've seen, though I've read a lot about him, and I'm looking forward to seeing more of his work.  There's not really any gore - there's much more reliance on atmosphere and story, and this is what I like in a film.  Recommended for any fans of 60's-70's era horror films, such as Hammer Studios stuff.

Bechdel Test: Pass

Overall: 3.75/5

Title: Re: Danae's 2013 Horror Marathon
Post by: Jimmy on October 11, 2013, 05:24:54 AM

I know you like older movies as I do (in a different genre, but you know what I mean), so I hope you'll excuse me for going a little bit off-topic :shrug:

In case you didn't know The Haunting will be release next week on blu-ray (http://www.amazon.com/The-Haunting-Blu-ray-Julie-Harris/dp/B00DBNLBAQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1381461391&sr=8-1&keywords=the+haunting) and the review I've read about the disc is quite positive (http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film4/blu-ray_reviews_60/the_haunting_blu-ray.htm). Mine is already in the mail and I expect to get it at the end of next week.

BTW if you get the chance to watch Bay of Blood don't hesitate, this is another excellent Mario Bava's film.

Title: Re: Danae's 2013 Horror Marathon
Post by: GSyren on October 11, 2013, 09:01:29 AM

Quote from: Jimmy on October 11, 2013, 05:24:54 AM

In case you didn't know The Haunting will be release next week on blu-ray (http://www.amazon.com/The-Haunting-Blu-ray-Julie-Harris/dp/B00DBNLBAQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1381461391&sr=8-1&keywords=the+haunting)

Oh, good one! That'll go in my wish list. Thanks for pointing it out, Jimmy. Not sure why I never bought this on DVD, but now that it's on blu it's a no-brainer.

Title: Re: Danae's 2013 Horror Marathon
Post by: Jimmy on October 11, 2013, 09:06:06 AM

Probably for the same reason I did... it's a snapper case :laugh:

Title: Re: Danae's 2013 Horror Marathon
Post by: Danae Cassandra on October 11, 2013, 02:25:32 PM

And it's a pretty cheap release.  I have The Haunting on DVD, but I might just have to upgrade.

Title: Re: Danae's 2013 Horror Marathon
Post by: Danae Cassandra on October 12, 2013, 05:36:16 AM

(http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/02/025195055147f.jpg)

Coraline
Year of Release:  2009
Directed By: Henry Selick
Starring: Dakota Fanning, Teri Hatcher
Genre: Horror, Adventure

Overview:
From the director of The Nightmare Before Christmas comes a visually stunning stop-motion animated feature – the first to be originally filmed in 3-D! Discover how the filmmakers and artisans created the magical handmade world of Coraline, exclusively in this 2-Disc Collector's Edition!

Coraline Jones is bored in her new home until she finds a secret door that leads her into a world that's just like her own...but better! But when this fantastical adventure turns dangerous and her "other" Mother tries to keep her forever, Coraline must count on her resourcefulness and bravery to get home. Coraline  is a "visual marvel" (Claudia Puig, USA Today).

My Thoughts:
I last saw this delightful film four years ago, and I don't know why we waited so long to watch it again. 

Of course, when I saw it last time I was under the mistaken impression that this was a Tim Burton film.  Of course, it is not - but I can be forgiven, I think, for the mistake.  It's from collaborators of Burton's and shares a lot of the same visual and atmospheric style as Burton's films. 

This is a wonderful, creepy film with a delightful Gothic atmosphere, beautifully crafted stop-motion animation and very decent voice acting.  It's strong story has its origin in a book by Neil Gaiman, and the visuals are very striking.  Coraline is a strong, resourceful character, and the Other Mother character is creepy from the beginning and only gets creepier as the film progresses from dream to nightmare.  Some of my friends were really creeped out by the button eyes in the film.  I mean they found it really, really creepy.  Much more than the film deserves.

I like this film a lot and recommend it for anyone old enough to handle its spooky nature (so like 8 and up, could go younger for mature kids).

Bechdel Test:  Pass

Overall: 4/5

Title: Re: Danae's 2013 Horror Marathon
Post by: Danae Cassandra on October 14, 2013, 05:15:26 AM

(http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/73/733961169492f.jpg)

The Real Wolfman
Year of Release: 2009
Directed By: Carsten Oblaender
Starring: Jonathan Adams, Ken Gerhardt, George Deuchar
Genre: Documentary

Overview:
In the mid 1700s, a mysterious beast viciously attacked and killed 102 villagers in the French village of Gevaudan.  The victims, mostly women and children, were mauled and decapitated, their naked bodies all bearing the savage bite marks of a non-human creature.  The killings mark the largest number of alleged werewolf attacks in history and are a contributor to the Hollywood "Wolfman" legend.  Venture deep into the mythology and folklore of werewolves with renowned cryptozoologist Ken Gerhardt and veteran criminal profiler George Deuchar as they investigate the reviled creature believed to brutally kills when the moon is full.  Their investigation includes intriguing paranormal transformations, diseases that make men look and act like animals, and strange but true stories of children raised by wolves.  What they uncover in dark side of human nature is the horrific truth behind the Gevaudan werewolf attacks, and the wolfman within us all.

My Thoughts:
This was a decent History Channel documentary examining the case of the Beast of Gevaudan and what the truth might be behind it.  The two investigators seemed pretty credible, and their tactics for finding out what might lie behind the tales of a werewolf were something of what I might try myself.  Even their conclusion held up pretty well to us, though afterward we talked about it and elaborated on their theory - one part of it didn't hold water for me, but the vast majority of their conclusion was pretty credible, and did work for me. 

I'd recommend this is you like the History Channel's style of documentary (this does have a repeating of prior info at the commercial break sections, and I know that annoys some folks) and have an interest in the subject.  I thought it was pretty well done.

Bechdel Test: Fail

Overall: 3/5

Title: Re: Danae's 2013 Horror Marathon
Post by: Danae Cassandra on October 17, 2013, 01:52:13 AM

(http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/01/014381036121f.jpg)

The Beast That Killed Women
Year of Release: 1965
Directed By: Barry Mahon
Starring: Miami Beach's Most Lovely Nudists
Genre: Horror, Sexploitation

Overview:
Poor Delores Carlos. Unable to get an even tan, she and hubby Byron Mabe scurry off to a Miami nudist camp at precisely the same moment the camp is invaded by THE BEAST THAT KILLED WOMEN, a goofy-looking gorilla with an appetite for the ladies! Murder and panic quickly spread through the camp: "She said he was big and hairy!" Worse, the hardened police even march right through a game of nude volleyball with a corpse on a stretcher! Finally, after Miss Carlos is chased by the big monkey, a pretty policewoman volunteers to enter the camp as ape bait...

My Thoughts:
I'm not sure I've seen a sillier film than this - even Sting of Death, with its "do the jellyfish" dance.  Also, this may be the worst film I've ever seen that also remains fun and enjoyable.  Admittedly, it's of the so-bad-it's-hilarious type of fun, and it simply begs for some MST3K work.  There's not much plot, there's no acting or production value, even the monster, being simply the director in a dime-store gorilla suit, isn't well done.  Really the entire film is there to watch mostly naked, attractive women walk around outdoors or do things like play volleyball, swim, or square dance.  Mostly naked, because they are never shown full frontal, and - even though this is a nudist camp - most of the men wear shorts the entire time, and a lot of the time everyone is clothed.  So it's just a lot of boobs and butts - but though they're naked, it's treated so casually that there's not really any titillation.  I guess it's actually like a real nudist camp in that respect, except that all of the women are attractive.  Despite there being a monster, and a woman that gets killed, there isn't any horror to this film either.   So, recommended for aficionados of bad films, or anyone who wants to look at attractive girls from the 60's topless.  Otherwise, this is a terrible film and you should skip it.

Bechdel Test: Pass

Overall: 1.5/5

Title: Re: Danae's 2013 Horror Marathon
Post by: Jimmy on October 17, 2013, 02:08:05 AM

As I wrote in my review back in 2008... hard to believe I wrote for so long here.

"This is how to view and understand those films : They were the way to show woman nudity on screen legally more than forty years ago."

"If you want to pass an hour in front of your TV without thinking too much and seeing some beautiful and natural looking woman (and some men bottom), this is the movie for you."

A warning for you, don't watch The Monster of Camp Sunshine this isn't just an awfull film but also a really boring one.

Title: Re: Danae's 2013 Horror Marathon
Post by: Danae Cassandra on October 17, 2013, 02:23:25 AM

Yeah, that's pretty accurate to my experience.  It was something to watch with lovely women while I was sewing.

Title: Re: Danae's 2013 Horror Marathon
Post by: Danae Cassandra on October 17, 2013, 05:43:26 AM

(http://goregirl.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/the-killer-shrews-resized.jpg)

The Killer Shrews
Year of Release: 1959
Directed By: Ray Kellogg
Starring: James Best, Ingrid Goude, Ken Curtis, Gordon McLendon, Baruch Lumet
Genre: Horror, Science-Fiction

Overview:
A fierce hurricane strands a group of strangers on a remote island.  They stumble upon a crazed scientist working on a way to shrink humans to solve the over-population problem.  Unfortunately, his wild experiments have created some giant shrew creatures hungry for human flesh.

My Thoughts:
This is a laughably bad movie that takes itself way too serious for a film with this title.  The characters are stock, the dialog is lame, the outcomes are completely predictable, and the monster killer shrews are played by dogs that appear to be wearing bathmats!  Or, for closeups, an extremely bad puppet. 

Yet - cue ominous music! - it's still an entertaining watch if you like B-grade monster movies from the 50's.  The premise is sound enough, and the cast and crew seem to actually be giving it a good effort.  It's a kind of bad movie with spunk.  The actors, for the most part, are giving it their all and trying to portray and develop their stock personas into characters.  The hero is a bit more articulate than usual, the scientist not exactly mad, and the brutish spurned lover is also a coward.  The hero's best friend is also the token black guy, so naturally he's the first to go - but how often do you see a friendship across color lines in films of this age anyway?  I can't remember very many.

Recommended for anyone who enjoys 50's B-grade monster movies.

Bechdel Test: Fail

Overall: 2/5

Title: Re: Danae's 2013 Horror Marathon
Post by: GSyren on October 17, 2013, 09:23:20 AM

Spot on, Danae!

The Killer Shrews is definitely in the category "so bad it's good". I love 50's B-grade monster movies, and I enjoyed this movie a lot.

I haven't seen the 2012 (better late than never?) sequel. Not sure I want to. But it's fun that James Best is in that one, too. He's 87 years old now, and still working. That's strong. He co-wrote it, too.
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/71eEBkFRA5L._SL1000_.jpg)
I don't know... I think that the original shrew design (dogs with bathmats, as you put it)  was more fun.

Title: Re: Danae's 2013 Horror Marathon
Post by: Dragonfire on October 18, 2013, 03:13:09 AM

James Best?  Roscoe fighting killer shrews?  Well..that just might get me to hunt these down sometime.

Title: Re: Danae's 2013 Horror Marathon
Post by: Danae Cassandra on October 20, 2013, 04:57:22 AM

(http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/03/037429195727f.jpg)

Les Yeux sans visage (Eyes Without a Face)
Year of Release: 1959
Directed By: Georges Franju
Starring: Edith Scob, Pierre Brasaeur, Alida Valli,
Genre: Horror, Suspense/Thriller

Overview:
Secluded in the French countryside, a brilliant, obsessive doctor attempts a radical plastic surgery that could restore the beauty of his daughter's disfigured face - but at a horrifying price. At once ghastly and lyrical, Eyes Without a Face is a true rarity of horror cinema and has influenced countless other films. The Criterion Collection is proud to present Georges Franju’s classic in a long-awaited, fully restored DVD edition.

My Thoughts:
This was a really great film.  We have a doctor - in a brilliant portrayal by Brasseur - who seems on the surface to be motivated by the love he has for his daughter, and his desire to help her, but as the movie progresses we realize that it isn't love at all, but as Christiane tells Louise, it is his desire to play God, and have her as his human guinea pig.  It's a film of true horror, a horror grounded in reality rather than the supernatural.  Yet there's little gore, outside of a single scene, rather there is the horror of emotion.  One can so easily sympathize with Christiane's feelings of powerlessness and imprisonment - which makes the ending such a wonderful payoff.

(click to show/hide)

I was so glad that the ending isn't the stereotypical one where the authorities, or her fiancee, rush in to save the day.  That, instead, Christiane is the one who stands up for herself, who frees the final potential victim and the dogs her father had experimented on, and who frees herself from the house.  It was also very satisfying seeing the dogs, who were all friendly and loving to Christiane, turn on her father, giving him his just deserts at the hands of some of those he had wronged.

All together a wonderful film - great performances, great cinematography, a strong grounding in the horror of human nature - highly recommended.

Bechdel Test: Pass

Overall: 4/5

Title: Re: Danae's 2013 Horror Marathon
Post by: Danae Cassandra on October 22, 2013, 01:46:45 AM

(http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/88/883929145775f.jpg)

It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
Year of Release: 1966
Directed By: Bill Melendez
Starring: Peter Robbins, Chris Shea, Sally Dryer, Cathy Steinberg, Bill Melendez
Genre: Comedy, Animation

Overview:
Will this Halloween be the one when the Great Pumpkin comes? Long-time believer Linus thinks so – and keeps watch all night in the pumpkin patch to welcome him. Charlie Brown gets into the spooky spirit too, dressing up as a ghost with more eyeholes than needed – but not scaring up the usual kinds of Halloween loot when trick-or-treating. Never fear, World War I fighting ace Snoopy is here to battle the Red Baron – and in doing so, crash Violet's Halloween party and Linus' vigil as well. Your whole family will be glad it crashed this party. Good grief, you can't help but have a Happy Halloween!

My Thoughts:
I'm surprised I don't already have a review for this on site.  This is a classic Halloween cartoon and we watch it every year - this year at a pumpkin carving party at a friend's house.  Charlie Brown is perfect for kids, perfect for grownups; it's fun, funny, and endearing, and for those of us of a certain age very nostalgic.  I remember looking forward to this coming on TV every year when I was a kid back in Edmonson County, and I always get a warm, fuzzy feeling from these old classics.

There's a second Peanuts cartoon on the disc as well, "It's Magic, Charlie Brown" that - while not the classic that Pumpkin is, is still a fun cartoon and it's great to see Charlie Brown finally get to kick the football when he's invisible. 

The blu-ray looks great, so if you don't already own this great cartoon, I give it the highest recommendation. 

Bechdel Test:  Pass

Overall: 5/5

Title: Re: Danae's 2013 Horror Marathon
Post by: Danae Cassandra on October 22, 2013, 03:33:45 AM

(http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/01/012569828506f.jpg)

Corpse Bride

We watched this last year too.  So you can read that review here (http://www.dvdcollectorsonline.com/index.php/topic,7896.msg158754.html#msg158754).

Title: Re: Danae's 2013 Horror Marathon
Post by: Danae Cassandra on October 25, 2013, 05:58:33 AM

(http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/I5/I564A51FF0E910884f.jpg)

The Creature From the Black Lagoon
Year of Release: 1954
Directed By: Jack Arnold
Starring: Richard Carlson, Julia Adams, Richard Denning
Genre: Horror, Science-Fiction

Overview:
Who knows what undiscovered life forms inhabit the bodies of water on our planet? When scientists exploring the Amazon River stumble on a "missing link" connecting humans and fish, they plan to capture it for later study. But the creature has plans of its own, inspired by the lead scientist's (Richard Carlson) beautiful fianceé, Kay (Julie Adams). This classic thriller is a genuine tribute to imaginative storytelling and an exceptional showcase for the legendary makeup artistry of Bud Westmore.

My Thoughts:
If the hallmark of a great creature feature is when you root for the creature, than this is surely one of the greatest.  Here we have the gill-man, a survivor of an ancient race, whose home is invaded by scientists who wish to capture, or kill him, in the name of furthering human knowledge.  Yet he recognizes that they are more like himself than the other creatures around him, and have a female with them - perhaps the only female that he has encountered close to himself.  It's easy to root for him - especially when the scientists are mostly so arrogant. 

The makeup and prosthetics work is impressive.  The Creature is perhaps the most impressive looking of Universal's classic monsters.  There is so much detail and work that went into him, that the film gets a star simply for the design of The Creature.  Add in the good script, good cinematography, great location shooting, and well done acting, even if the only female character is incredibly one note (the absolute classic damsel in distress), this is a film I would heartily recommend to any lover of monster movies. 

Bechdel Test: Fail

Overall: 3.75/5

Title: Re: Danae's 2013 Horror Marathon
Post by: Danae Cassandra on October 26, 2013, 05:29:39 AM

(http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/73/738329086329f.jpg)

La rose de fer (The Iron Rose)
Year of Release: 1973
Directed By: Jean Rollin
Starring: Françoise Pascal, Hugues Quester
Genre: Horror

Overview:
THE IRON ROSE is a haunting experience—a macabre tone poem about youth and age, love and nihilism, nostalgia and superstition, and, above all, life and death. Françoise Pascal (There's a Girl in My Soup) and Hugues Quester (Three Colors: Blue) go on a metaphysical, Orpheus-like journey inside an ancient, all-but-abandoned graveyard but, as night falls, they cannot find their way out. As Quester's nihilism crumbles to impatience and terror, Pascal transfers her disappointed passion for him to the cemetery itself and becomes jubilantly (and dangerously) attuned to its dead. Pascal gives a remarkably intuitive performance, at times so spontaneous in spirit, one cannot imagine how parts of it were ever scripted.

The cemetery itself is analogous to Rollin's love for all things antiquarian, including the old train station and the nearly moribund city of Amiens. If Orson Welles was correct when he estimated that a film could only be considered good to the extent it represented the artist who made it, THE IRON ROSE is Jean Rollin's first authentic masterpiece.

My Thoughts:
This is a beautiful, artistic, poetic film.  It's moody and atmospheric, a sort of mediation on life and death, anger and fear, madness and peace.  The visuals are stunning, from the deep, saturated colors worn by the lovers to the deep black of the night, the gray of the tombstones, the fallen autumn leaves contributing to the aura of decay.  In fact, one might say the cemetery is as much the star of the film as the two actors.  It has its own character and its own demands.  It even lures the young woman away from her human lover.  She finds peace and communion with the cemetery (and in fact most of the film would make a great background story for a D&D necromancer, but I digress).  I was very struck by Françoise Pascal's performance as the girl, and her descent into madness was very well done in my opinion.

I enjoyed this film quite a lot, and am interested in seeing more of Rolin's work.  But I can't give it an unqualified recommendation.  If you're looking for a conventional horror film, I would steer clear - there's no blood, no gore, no monsters, and very little nudity.  Don't be fooled by that - this is definitely a horror film, just not the conventional kind.  If you like art films, and are interested in a macabre piece musing on a theme of death, or simply want to see a visually splendid film, I would recommend this film.

Bechdel Test: Fail

Overall:  3.75/5

Title: Re: Danae's 2013 Horror Marathon
Post by: Jimmy on October 26, 2013, 08:32:22 AM

Quote from: Danae Cassandra on October 26, 2013, 05:29:39 AM

If you like art films, and are interested in a macabre piece musing on a theme of death, or simply want to see a visually splendid film, I would recommend this film.

As I would ;D
Always nice to see someone else than me talking about that genre of cinema here :clap:

You can try pretty much everything from Rollin as they all have that beautifull visual and sureal theme. Except for Le lac des morts vivants and his adult films (anyway they aren't available in our continent) the rest of his film répertoire is recommanded.

Title: Re: Danae's 2013 Horror Marathon
Post by: Danae Cassandra on October 28, 2013, 01:50:00 PM

(http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/78/786936764970f.jpg)

The Nightmare Before Christmas

We watched this last year too.  So you can read that review  here (http://www.dvdcollectorsonline.com/index.php/topic,7896.msg159042.html#msg159042).

Title: Re: Danae's 2013 Horror Marathon
Post by: Danae Cassandra on October 29, 2013, 12:25:50 PM

(http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/73/733961727906f.jpg)

The Unexplained: Hauntings
Originally Aired: 1997
Directed By: Stacy Twilley
Starring: Peter Stacker
Genre: Documentary

Overview:
Unexplained noises, objects flying across the room, and frightening messages scrawled on the walls. Are these mysterious occurrences the work of spirits from the other world, or are they merely horrifying tricks of the mind.

In this chilling program from THE HISTORY CHANNEL®, meet several families who claim their homes have been the site of some very mysterious and terrifying activity. Find out how these people have dealt with these disturbances - and learn one case in which a family has spent years unsuccessfully trying to get away from the spirits they say haunt their everyday lives.

Interviews with psychologists, parapsychologists, and so-called "ghostbusters" offer up varying explanations for the strange happenings, while video footage of seances and photographs of supposed energy and even ghost-like countenances highlight the lengths people have gone in order to solve the puzzle of these HAUNTINGS.

My Thoughts:
About average for a one hour TV doc.  It profiles 3 families and their experience with ghosts.  It offers both a paranormal explanation and scientific criticism/skepticism for each haunting, and I thought it did a good job of balancing the two.  It's part of a box set Haunted Histories Collection, and there are definitely worse things to watch over dinner.

Bechdel Test: N/A

Overall: 2.5/5

Title: Re: Danae's 2013 Horror Marathon
Post by: Danae Cassandra on November 01, 2013, 03:55:09 AM

(http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/78/786936281576f.jpg)

Pooh's Heffalump Halloween Movie
Year of Release: 2005
Directed By: Elliot M. Bour & Saul Andrew Blinkoff
Starring: Jimmy Bennett, Peter Cullen, Jim Cummings, John Fiedler, Ken Sansom, Kyle Stanger
Genre: Comedy, Animation

Overview:
It's a hilariously haunting Halloween in the 100 Acre Wood. Roo's best new pal, Lumpy, is excited to trick-or-treat for the first time...until Tigger warns them about the dreaded Gobloon, who'll turn you into a Jaggedy Lantern if he catches you. But if they catch the Gobloon before it catches them, they get to make a wish!

With Roo by his side, Lumpy knows he can face anything. So when Pooh eats all the Halloween candy, Lumpy and Roo decide to be "brave together, brave forever" and catch the Gobloon so they can wish for more. When the two friends become separated, however, Roo decides to wish for something even more important.

Filled with adventure, unconditional friendship and lots of laughter, Pooh's Heffalump Halloween Movie is a sweet treat for the whole family.

My Thoughts:
So, this is perhaps the farthest thing from a horror movie that I've reviewed for any Halloween marathon, but my mom remembered we have this in our collection and we haven't watched it since 2009.

This is a cute Halloween cartoon.  It's perfect for little kids, it's perfect for people who like Halloween but are too easily scared by horror movies.  It's kinda like an anthology movie, because there is a story-within-a-story in the film, but it's easy to keep up with, and sweet.  The animation is not up to par with Disney's A-list features, rather keeping up with the best of the sequel level films, but it's an appealing watch if you like this sort of film, or have little kids.  Be warned, though, it's not cool enough for tweens & teens. 

Bechdel Test: Fail

Overall: 2.75/5